Bidirectional reinforcement of narrow pillar with inflatable lock-type anchor experimental investigation and its application

This study targets at asymmetric deformation of narrow coal pillar in gob-side entry driving.We put forward the bidirectional reinforcement of narrow pillar with opposite-crossing anchor cable.Specifically, we designed two types of anchor cable structure: the byelongation type and the expansion lock type, and carried out the pull-out test of opposite-crossing anchor cable, the test shows that both anchor cable structures could meet the tensile requirements.We conducted comparative analysis on the morphology of anchor cable failure, construction convenience and the economic aspect of material selection, where the expansion lock type crossed anchor was selected for narrow coal pillar bidirectional reinforcement.Furthermore, we investigated the bearing deformation patterns of coal pillars and the stress characteristics of anchor cables under different reinforcement methods through similar model tests and numerical simulation.Results show a 96.04% increase of peak load in the specimen reinforced by the double-row tight opposite-crossing anchor cable compared with that of the not reinforced specimen, and higher stability of the narrow pillar reinforced by the double-row tight opposite-crossing anchor cable as the rows of the anchor cable increases in number.The expansion lock anchor type crossed cable improved the energy storage and the critical failure point before the coal pillar was destroyed.Finally, the engineering test of expansive lock type crossed anchor cable to reinforcing narrow coal pillar was carried out in the transportation roadway of 123 lower 04 working face of Jining No.3 Coal Mine.The monitoring show that the anchoring force of the anchor cable exceeded 220kN, with 70& reduction of the coal pillar in the reinforcement area and good overall stability of the narrow coal pillar.It proves the feasibility of the bidirectional reinforcement technology of narrow pillar and provides new technical way for gob-side entry driving.